Antenna



E. J. COWAN Dec. 28, 1943.

ANTENNA Filed Nov. 1 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR EDWARD BY 7 4ATTORNEY COWAN E. J. COWAN Dec. 28, 1943.

ANTENNA Filed Nov. 1, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet, 2

INVENTOR EDWARDJ COW/4N 4 ATTORNEY w 8 m M]. R

Patented Dec. 2%, 1943 STATES EN ()FFICE ANTENNA Edward J. Cowan,Springdalc, Cnn., assignor' to Radio Corporation of America, acorporation of Delaware 1'7 Claims.

This invention relates to a frequency modulation and television antennawhich in addition to being adapted for the improvement of reception ofsignals also gives additional uses.

An object'of this invention is to improve the reception of radio signalsby means of a liquid path which is either continuously or intermittentlyplaced as required adjacent an antenna radiating member.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improvedantenna which can also be used as a cooling system for the home.

Still another-object of this invention is toprovide fire and lightningprotection for the home.

A feature of this invention is the arrangement of a dipole antenna onthe roof of a house or any other type of building. The radiating portionof the antenna has a plurality of small holes arranged therealo-ng toact as a sprinkler system to allow a flow of Water over the surface ofthe roof to improve the reception qualities and also to cool thebuilding in hot weather, likewise, to give a certain amount of fireprotection. I

It has been observed that radio reception of signals has been improvedwhen a grounded capacitive element is placed adjacent, the antenna, alsothe present-day system of television and frequency modulation requires aspecially constructed antenna located preferably at a high positionabove the building in which the radio apparatus is located ifsatisfactory reception is to be obtained. The improved antenna of thisinvention will perform other valuable uses. around the house other thanthat of the reception of signals. The home owner, therefore cangetimproved results and other advantages from an antenna of this inventionby installing ,a specially constructed antenna on his house.

The invention is also believed to be valuable in its application tomilitary building's because of the need for radio communication, andalso limited fire protection because of the danger of incendiary bombs.

This invention will best be understood by referring to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the antenna of this invention applied to an ordinarybuilding;

Fig. 2 shows another modification of this in vention applied to adwelling houseor similar building having a plurality of gables;

Fig. 3 is a detail of the hollow antenna member of this invention; gFig. 4 shows another detail of an antenna of this invention which isparticularly adapted to new building construction;

Fig. 5 shows an antenna of this invention adapted to a building having aconducting or metallic roof;

Fig. 6 is another detail of an antenna construction of this invention;and

Fig. '7 shows a direction finder loop of this invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the arrangement shown in Fig.l'is that of an ordinary dipole or half wave antenna I located slightlyabove the ridge 2 of a wood frame house 3,-

army barrack, or similar simple type of building. The antenna i isconstructed from a relatively thin Walled pipe or tube having suitablyarranged apertures which Will be discussed in detail later, preferablymade of one inch brass or copper, and may be provided with suitableinsulation material t for separating the radiating members and providinga securing means to fasten the antenna to the building. The length oftube I is generally one-half wave length long, although not specificallylimited thereto. The amount of insulation material or the style andnumber of insulators, is dependent upon the general arrangement of thebuilding. Antenna l is supported by a vertical pipe 5 which passesthrough the roof to the interior of the building. Located adjacent theinsulation material and connected tothe radiating members are suitablytransposed downleads 5a which extend within the building for suitableconnection to radio apparatus, such as a transmitting or receiving set.The transposed leads 5a are shown located apart from pipe 5, although ifthe impedance of the antenna circuit will permit, the leads may be madeof heavy insulation and then placed within pipe 5. Between the verticalpipe 5 and the source of water supply 6 is a lightning arrester l and avalve 8 which is arranged to control the flow of water from the fluidsupply source 8 having sufficient fluid pressure to flow out of theapertures in tube l. The setting of valve 8 may be such as to controlthe rate of fluid flow to give a desired amount of, impedance.

In the operation of this device, when no fluid is flowing through thesystem, the signals are received as in any ordinary type of dipole orultra high frequency antenna. However, when it is desired to improve thereception due to dryatmospheric conditions or because the building. islocated in a locality where sandy or good drainage gives pcor groundingqualities, the conditions may then be improved by having valve 8 openedintermittently to permit the fiow of sufiicient liquid to give thedesired improvement. In such an.

arrangement, the liduid or water path acts as a capacitive element andis similar to a counterpoise. In the case of an emergency, valve 8 isopened to the full amount until the danger no longer exists. When it isdesired to cool the building in hot weather, valve 8 is opened until thedesired drop in temperature is obtained. When valve 8 is open, waterflows from the fluid ource of supply up through the vertical pipe andout through the small apertures in antenna l and runs down on thesurface of the roof.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 2 is somewhat similar to that shown inFig. 1, except that the antenna extends over each gable of the house,forming a turnstile or cross-shaped antenna. Although the antenna memberI is shown forming four horizontal members which give a phase of ninetydegrees each, it is to be understood that an additional phasing membernot shown, which may be equivalent to one-quarter wave length, will berequired to complete the proper phasing of the system. The lightningarrester in this arrangement is shown located preferably on the outsideof the building and at one end thereof. The fluid connection 9 extendsdownward to the water supply source 6, suitable insulation 4 beingprovided at the necessary points of the antenna system.

Although Figs. 1 and 2 show the antenna system in permanent connectionwith the source of water supply, in some installations, it may bedesired to have the vertical pipe connected with coupling means so thatthe ordinary garden hose may be connected from the city water supply tothe antenna system.

Fig. 3 shows in detail the antenna tube of this invention in which thereis located a plurality of small holes l0, each being locateddiametrically opposite one another, so as to provide a sprinkler systemwhich, in addition to improving the antenna system, will also givesuitable fire protection in any emergency, such as bombing withincendiary bombs, a fire in an adjacent building, and during the hotsummer months to serve as a cooling system for cooling the roof of thehouse or building by having water flow out of the pipes and down thesides of the roof. Each of the extreme ends of tube l is provided withan end cap or plug H. The central portion of the pipe is provided withan insulating T-shaped member i2 which has a depending portion l3suitably arranged for connection to the vertically arranged pipe hi.Electrical connections are taken from suitable terminals located atpoint It, the downleads being suitably transposed, as is well known tothose skilled in the art.

The. constructional detail shown by Fig. 4 is somewhat similar to thatof Fig. 3, except that the antenna member has a cross-section equivalentin shape to the capital letter A, and preferably constructed of sheetcopper. The two extending ends 2! are provided to act as a flashing forthe construction in a new building to prevent entry of moisture withinthe house. A delta-shaped end plug 22 is provided to substitute for theend cap ll of Fig. 3. Suitable insulation is provided at the centralportion thereof.

The antenna constructed in accordance with Fig. 5, is particularlyadapted to the use of buildings having a metallic roof which may beeither flat or pitched. In this arrangement, it is preferable that thevertical hollow tube member 25 be arranged to extend one-half wavelength above the ridge of the roof before receiving the antenna 26 whichis one-half wave length long.

As such an antenna is somewhat directional in effect, it may be desiredto provide means for turning the antenna, such as, for example, a handwheel 27 and a flange ball bearing 28. With this type of antenna, theinsulation l2 may be omitted. The terminating point I5 for thetransmission line should be spaced so as to provide the correctimpedance match for the transmission line.

Fig. 6 shows a still further modification of an antenna having alternatehalf-wave radiating portions 3| and phasing loops Ella, whereby thedirectivity effect of the antenna is increased. The Carter Patent#2231779 shows a somewhat similar type of antenna which may also beadapted to this invention.

The invention may also be applied to a rotatable loop, as shown by Fig.7, by having the lower horizontal member All arranged with suitableapertures ID to permit the ejection of the fluid therethrough. The otherconstructional details, such as vertical pipe 14, may includ a suitableflange bearing 4|, insulation section 42, and means for rotating theloop, such as a handwheel 21 similar to that shown in Fig. 5. The loopwinding is preferably constructed of heavy insulated wire with suitabletransposed downleads 43.

It will be seen by such an antenna arrangement that the system willimprove the efficiency, also, it can be used as a lightning rod by meansof having an antenna lightning arrester located between the leads goingto the radio set and ground. Furthermore, although this invention hasbeen described as applying to a matched impedance antenna system,employing a transmission line of two conductors equally spaced andproperly transposed, it will apply equally well to a system having asingle wire feed. In certain antenna constructions, the system may bedirectly grounded and thus serve directly as a lightning rod to givesuitable protection. Likewise, although this invention has beendescribed as being adapted to a receiving antenna, it can be applied toother antenna constructions, such as the many types of directionalantennae and may also be applied to transmitters having beamcharacteristics for use in radio direction finding, as applied toaeronautics.

This invention should not be limited to the precise modifications shown.

What is claimed is:

1. An antenna system comprising a hollow antenna member having atriangular cross-section, an insulating member located in the centerportion of said hollow antenna member, a plurality of apertures locatedin two sides of said triangular cross-section, a liquid supply arrangedin liquid communication with said antenna member, and means forregulating the rate of flow of liquid from said liquid supply to saidantenna member, and means adjacent said insulating member forelectrically connecting said hollow antenna member to a radio device.

2. An antenna system comprising a hollow cross-shaped antenna horizontalmember, a vertical member, means for insulating portions of saidhorizontal member from ground or equivalent potential, said cross-shapedantenna member having a plurality of apertures therein to permit theejection of a liquid therethrough, a source of liquid supply, saidvertical member having liquid communication with said cross-shapedantenna horizontal member and said source of liquid supply, andmeans-forelectrically connecting said antenna member'to' a radiodevice.

3. An antenna system comprising a hollow turnstile shaped antennaforming horizontal-metallic members, a vertical member, means forinsulating portions of said horizontal member from ground or equivalentpotential, said horizontal members having a'plurality of aperturestherein topermit the ejection of a liquidtherethrough, a sourceof'liquid supply, said vertical member having liquid communication withsaid horizontal members and said source'of liquid supply, and means forelectricallyconnecting said antenna members to a radio device. a

4. An antenna-system comprising a hollow di pole antenna, a' horizontalmetallic member onehalf wave length long, a vertical member, means forinsulating portions of said horizontal member from ground or equivalentpotential, said horizontal member having a plurality of aperturestherein to permit the ejectionof a liquid therethrough, a source ofliquid supply, said vertical member having liquid communication withsaid horizontal member and said source of liquid supply, and means forelectrically connecting said antenna to a radio device.

5. An antenna system comprising a horizontal metallic member havingsymmetrically arranged phasing loops, a vertical member, means forinsulating portions of said horizontal member from ground or equivalentpotential, said horizontal member including said phasing loops having aplurality of apertures therein to permit the election of a liquidtherethrough, a source of liquid supply, said vertical member havingliquid communication with said horizontal member and said source ofliquid supply, and means for electrically connecting said horizontalmember to a radio device.

6. An antenna system comprising a hollow metallic antenna membersubstantially one-half Wave length long, said antenna member having aplurality of apertures therein, said apertures being arranged in a rowand diametrically opposite each other, a liquid supply arranged inliquid communication with said hollow antenna member, a vertical memberhaving liquid communication with said hollow antenna member, means forinsulating portions of said hollow antenna member from ground orequivalent potential, a bearing for supporting said vertical member,electrical means for connecting said antenna member to a radio device,and means secured to said vertical member for rotating said hollowantenna member.

'7. An antenna system comprising a horizontal rotating antenna member, avertical member, a source of liquid supply, means for insulatingportions of said horizontal member from ground or equivalent potential,said horizontal antenna having a plurality of apertures therein topermit the ejection of a liquid therethrough, said vertical memberhaving liquid communication with said horizontal antenna and said sourceof liquid supply, and means for electrically connecting said horizontalrotating antenna member to a radio device.

8. The combination of a rotatable direction finder loop, including avertical member and a horizontal member, means to insulate saidhorizontal member from ground or equivalent potential, the lowerhorizontal member of said loop having a plurality of small aperturestherein, a winding within said loop, a liquid supply source incommunication with said loop, a bearing for said .loop, means forelectrically connecting said windingto'a radio device, means iorrotating said loop, 1 and means 1 for regulating the: rate of flow ofsaidliquid interposedbetween said loop and saidli'quid'supply. a i

9. A radio direction finder comprising a hollow loop having a pluralityof conductive turns and a plurality of smallapertures therein, a windingwithin said loop, a liquid supply source in fluid communication withsaid loop, a bearing for said loop, means for electrically connecting.said winding to a radio device, meansfor rotating said loop, means forinsulating portions of said loop from ground or equivalent potential,and means for regulating the rate of flow of said liquid interposedbetween said loop and said liquid supply. i

' 10. A frequency modulation antenna "system comprising ahollow dipoleantenna, a horizontal metallic member, a vertical member, saidhorizontal member having a plurality of apertures therein to permit theejection of a fluid therethrough, means for insulating a portion of saidhorizontal antenna member, a source of fluid supply, said verticalmember being in fluid communication with said horizontal member and saidsource of fluid supply, and a transposed transmission feed lineconnected between said horizontal member and a radio device.

11. An ultra high frequency antenna system comprising a hollow metallicantenna member, means for mounting said antenna member upon a building,said metallic antenna member having a plurality of apertures thereinarranged in a row to permit the ejection of a liquid therethrough,insulating means for electrically separating portions of said hollowmetallic antenna member, a source of liquid supply, said hollow metallicantenna member being in liquid communication with said source of liquidsupply, and means for electrically connecting said hollow antenna memberto a radio device.

12. An ultra high frequency antenna system comprising a hollow dipoleantenna including a horizontal metallic member and a vertical metallicmember, means for securing said vertical metallic member on a building,means for insulating portions of said horizontal member from saidvertical member, said horizontal member having a plurality of aperturestherein to permit the ejection of a liquid therethrough, a source ofliquid supply, said vertical and horizontal members being in liquidcommunication with said liquid supply, and means for connecting saidhorizontal member to a radio device.

13. The combination of a horizontal hollow metallic antenna mmeberhaving a plurality of small apertures therein, a liquid supply sourcearranged to be in liquid communication with said hollow antenna member,to permit ejection of said liquid through said small apertures and meansfor regulating the rate of flow of said liquid, said means beinginterposed between said antenna member and said liquid supply, means toelectrically insulate said horizontal member from said liquid supplysource, and means for electrically connecting said hollow antenna memberto a radio device.

14. The combination of a horizontal hollow antenna member having aplurality of small apertures therein, a liquid supply source arranged tobe in liquid communication with said hollow antenna member to permit theejection of liquid through said small apertures, a valve for regulatingthe rate of flow of said liquid being interposed between said hollowmember and said liquid supply, and an insulating member for electricallyseparating the liquid supply and said hollow antenna member, and meansfor electrically connecting said horizontal hollow antenna member to aradio device.

15. A dipole antenna member comprising two metallic hollow members, eachportion of said dipole having a plurality of small apertures therein, aclosure member located at the end of each hollow antenna member, aninsulation member for electrically separating each portion of saidhollow antenna member, a source of liquid supply and a vertical memberhaving liquid communication with said source of liquid supply, and meansfor electrically connecting said antenna member to a radio device.

16. A television antenna system comprising a hollow metallic memberhaving a plurality of small apertures therein, said apertures beingarranged in two rows which are diametrically opposite each other, aliquid supply arranged to be in liquid communication with said hollowmember, means to electrically insulate said hollow antenna member fromground or an equivalent potential, means interposed between said antennaand said liquid supply for regulating the flow of said liquidtherethrough, and means for electrically connecting said hollow antennamember to a radio device.

17. A television antenna comprising two hol low metallic members, meansfor mounting said hollow metallic members on a building, an insulatingmember for electrically separating portions of said hollow metallicmembers, liquid spray means in said hollow metallic members includingtwo rows of apertures located diametrically opposite each other, aliquid supply arranged to be in liquid communication with said hollowmetallic members for providing a liquid path on said building adjacentsaid antenna, and means for electrically connecting said antenna to aradio device.

EDWARD J. COWAN.

